Finally Home (Rewritten March 2025)
Alan saw himself working in The Santa María's hangar, moving weapon crates and repairing compromised locks. His favorite task, however, was maintaining the Custos—giant mechanical suits. To do this, Alan climbed up a ladder and walked across a service ramp to reach their heads and check their systems. His favorite was a red one with green eyes, which he nicknamed Captain Ketchup.
"How are you doing today, Cap?" Alan would ask each morning, greeting it with a wave. The stationary, 60-foot-tall humanoid machine always remained silent. "Your day to save the universe will come, I know it! In the meantime, let me make sure everything's in order, okay?"
This routine continued for a week until the eighth day, when Alan noticed that Captain Ketchup's eyes were glowing.
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"Captain?" Alan muttered as the shadow of a giant foot loomed over him. The last thing he saw before a service robot pulled him back was another blue Custos shielding him.
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Even after the automatic reinforced doors closed, he could still hear a constant, metallic banging.
The reverberating sound echoed through his head until he opened his eyes.
Huh?
Alan found himself soaked in sweat, lying on a bed that smelled of lavender, in a room he did not recognize at first.
Ah, yeah... I'm at the Shooting Stars' HQ.
The images from his dream were still clear in his mind, and his heart was still racing. Panting, he buried his sweaty face against the pillow and groaned.
Dreaming inside what technically is a collective dream is... pretty darn confusing.
After sighing, he inspected the room. The light of the Novus sun entered through the window and reflected on the wood-patterned tiled floor. In front of him was plenty of furniture at his disposal, and a large, rectangular mirror from which his reflection stared back.
He stood up and looked through the window, finding tall buildings and busy streets to explore. This is a real city. Unus Town could never compete with this.
Glancing at the furniture again, he noticed a yellow piece of paper stuck to a drawer. It read: 'Open me'. Inside, he found a pair of white sneakers, black baggy pants, a red sporty jacket, and another note: 'I hope you like them'. The signature, a star.
With a single tap, he got fully dressed in a couple of seconds. Checking his reflection, the dark bags under his eyes caught his attention.
Even though I slept like a rock, these things haven't vanished yet. Doesn't matter. Disregarding that and the fact that I need a haircut, I'm looking good!
"Thanks, Astrid." He chuckled, remembering her warm welcome.
I knew that even if I found The Novus engulfed in flames, you were going to be safe and sound, no matter what. But actually seeing you, proud and beautiful as always, melts my heart… Thank god!
His smile widened from ear to ear before he jumped onto the bed and started rolling on the mattress, back and forth, while hugging the pillow.
"She really looked damned good yesterday, didn't she?! Her new long-haired look is stunning! And the way she embraced me so tight, as if she didn't want to let go of me ever again, and how she looked into my eyes was driving me crazy! Don't do that, Astrid, or I'd fall for you all over again, you!"
After venting that out, he checked his reflection one more time and nodded approvingly.
Outside, a girl quickly swiped her User Interface out of sight and beamed at him. "Good morning, Alan Warden! The Guild Master has instructed me to… uh..." She squinted at him. "Is something wrong with your eyes?"
"Hi. Please don't mind it. I was just—Wait..." He suddenly blushed. "If you've been here all this time, you didn't hear me yelling a moment ago, did you?"
The girl stared at him, confused for a second, before shaking her head vigorously. "What? No! Of course not! These walls are quite thick! I didn't hear a thing!"
She heard it all…
"Were you saying something about the Guild Master?"
"Ah, yes! Allow me to introduce myself first. My name is Tamara Morin, and I'll be your guide today. I'll give you a complete tour of our facilities and assist you as much as I can."
The girl with black pigtails offered him a kind smile. Beneath the blue cape and white robe, Alan could discern a petite, feminine figure. Almost the same frame as Isabella II... I mean, Ashley. Alan then stared at Tamara's young features, making her tilt her head. Would Ashley look as friendly as this girl if she acted like a regular human being?
"Is something on my face, too?" she asked.
"Nothing. Sorry. So, where is Astrid? We're supposed to have breakfast together."
The girl wrinkled her forehead. "Oh, Alan, I'm sorry, but Astrid won't be able to join you. She has something else to attend to. That's what I've been trying to say. She instructed me to show you around while she was gone."
"Oh, it's okay," Alan said, trying his best to hide his disappointment. "She must be a very busy person. I understand that."
It's okay. I'm finally here. We'll have plenty of time to hang out later on.
Tamara studied his reaction for a moment, pursing her lips tight. Then, after consulting something on her User Interface, she suddenly grabbed his wrist. "Hey, she hasn't left the facilities. If we hurry, you might be able to catch her before she leaves."
"Uh, um... S-Sure! Let's do that!"
As Tamara pulled him through the dorm corridors at a fast pace, Alan wondered what kind of 'Guild Master duties' Astrid had to attend to. Thinking about it only made his mind a mess. Don't overthink it. Yes, we planned to start our day together, but it wasn't guaranteed. She has a life and responsibilities, you fool.
He bit his lower lip. It's okay. Just seeing her and waving goodbye from a distance will be enough for now.
Tamara stopped in front of a building Alan knew well. "This is the Guild Hall, where most of the administrative work is done. Astrid's office is here," she explained as she led the way to the entrance. "The Hall of Fame is also here, one of my favorite places in all of HQ."
"Ah, yes. Very fancy."
She frowned. "Have you been here before? When?"
Alan mirrored her disconcerted expression just as the double doors opened, revealing a flustered Astrid striding outside.
A frustrated Marco Souza was right on her heels. "Please, Guild Master..."
"We'll talk about it when I return. That's my final word," the blonde said sternly as she marched toward the front yard.
Just by looking at the tense scene, Alan decided it would be best to stay quiet and out of her path. Tamara seemed to think the same, standing still beside him. But Astrid caught sight of him, and her tense expression melted in an instant.
"Alan!" Astrid beamed, hurrying toward him and wrapping her arms around his neck. "Good morning! Did you sleep well?"
Caught off guard, Alan blushed immediately. "Y-Yes! Great bed, even better pillows!"
"Did you like the clothes? You don't have to wear them if you don't want to. I can tell the NPCs to--"
"No, no! I like these. Thanks a lot."
Astrid smiled again, as warm as the sun, entrancing him with her youthful beauty. Then he noticed that every single Shooting Star in the vicinity was watching them attentively. Tamara Morin fidgeted nervously beside them, trying to be as unobtrusive as possible, and a couple of guild members passing by had stopped in their tracks, whispering as they observed the scene. Even Marco Souza looked frozen, an incredulous expression on his face.
"Listen," Astrid began, "I have to go. I know we promised to have breakfast together, but believe me, it's something important. After all, I'm paying a visit to our da—WOAH!" She suddenly shouted, making Alan jolt. "O-Our dashing weaponsmith! Yes! He's on vacation, but I'll try to bring him back so we can start equipping you as soon as possible!"
"That's not nece--"
"Don't say another word," Astrid interrupted, pushing her index finger against his lips. "I'll be back soon, okay? And I promise we'll have dinner together. I have a place. Deal?"
"Sure, Astrid. Can't wait. Good luck on your voyage."
Astrid smiled, glanced at Tamara, giving her a knowing look, and finally summoned her black lion. She was soaring through the sky in a matter of seconds, making that whole moment feel like a fleeting dream. But I'm awake. I'm sure of it.
Alan glanced at Marco Souza once again, but he was nowhere to be found. What was that all about? And hasn't he told everyone about my arrival yet?